Hawkes Landing

The Rabbit Died

2010-05-21T10:25:00.002-06:00

Isla

2010-04-22T20:40:00.002-06:00

I have recently started sewing in the little free time I can find. I made these pants and headband for Isla the other morning before everyone was awake. I'm still kind of a beginner, but I'm having a lot of fun and learning a lot.

Pictures

2009-11-06T18:48:00.001-07:00

Just a few pictures of our sweet baby. She is growing up fast.

Isla

2009-09-20T21:08:00.001-06:00

Just a few more pictures of Isla's blessing day.

Cousins

2009-09-20T20:57:00.002-06:00

Emma and Ada had a lot of fun with their cousins, and a lot of fun with the camera.

Isla's Blessing Day

2009-09-08T18:55:00.004-06:00

New Arrival

2009-07-17T15:57:00.000-06:00

26 pics from Wedding Trip

2009-07-03T01:51:00.003-06:00

Viewing slide shows seems to work better if you click 'View All Images' and then select the Full Screen option.

Fun Fact: For over 100 years Hawkes have been visiting Bloomington Lake. Our children are a sixth consecutive Hawkes generation to make the trip. Knowing that Grandpa Jim Hawkes would travel their late in the evening, after milking the cows, for a Father & Son Campout in the '50s makes the place more meaningful. Also, to read family history about the Grandpa of Grandpa Jim Hawkes taking his children their at midday, between milkings, for a picnic lunch is wonderful.

FHE

2009-06-28T23:19:00.009-06:00

Though 8 months pregnant, we enjoyed a hike to Cascade Springs on a Monday evening.
The boardwalks and bridges provide for a unique experience among the flora and fauna of the high mountain springs.

Snake grass is an amazing natural novelty for young and old alike.
On the way home we stopped at a Redbox and rented Mall Cop. With some help, the children prepared movie snacks.
Something about the parents' room makes movies better.

Year in Pics

2009-06-18T14:31:00.001-06:00

My Kids Make Me Laugh

2009-06-10T14:04:00.003-06:00

We did "comparenations" for FHE. The children took turns acting like someone else while the rest of us guessed at the name. They all acted very silly when pretending to be their dad. Not so when pretending to be their mom. When they were asked if their mom ever joked, Ada said, "Yes, she told a joke on her birthday."

Gavyn is at the age that provides for the most frequent funny comments. Today he insisted that the weather was perfect for bear hunting and that we must go immediately. When asked where we might go, he quickly suggested: "Up to Lehi, Canyon Fork or Squaw Mountain; unless we are going to shoot some deers too. Then we could just go to the park." Also, last night after Gavyn kept insisting that he wrestle his giant cousin Caleb, I relented and allowed Gavyn to give his best effort at applying some jiu-jitsu submission holds on the goliath. Caleb was too big, strong and experienced. Still, Gavyn persisted until he got really hurt and started to "get sweaty eyes." He quickly ran to me and whispered in my ear that he was done and now just wanted to get in Mommy's bed and watch Little Bear.

Mabel wants to be exactly like Gavyn. Lately that has meant that when she walks past her dad she has to stop for a moment to deliver a jiu-jitsu punch-punch combination with a roundhouse kick. It is so cute!

Emma is the tallest and fastest kid on her soccer team. She is also the most timid. So, she usually likes to run along beside the ball and let others kick it. However, she will occasionally kick the ball if no one seems to be around. I am always yelling at her to be more aggressive. Yesterday, she felt alone enough to really deliver a blow. Unfortunately, a kid some 15 yards away just stood there awed as her kick hit him square in the face, bloodied his nose and mouth, blackened his eyes and knocked him off his feet. She came running to me with a smile to ask with great delight: "Did you see that?"

Nursery Rhyme?

2009-05-12T21:43:00.002-06:00

Gavyn was so excited to share what he learned today at preschool: Miss Muffit eating her turds away. It is a city sponsored program. Can Obama be blamed for this?

Time at the Park

2009-03-21T13:58:00.004-06:00

Another Memorable Home Teaching Lesson

2009-03-19T18:00:00.002-06:00

Custom Furniture

2009-02-08T22:19:00.005-07:00

A friend designs and builds furniture. These pictures are of a bed and nightstands that he made of alder. He then helped me make the same bed in queen size, which we will use upstairs in Gavyn's new room. Even from the internet the bed alone would have cost around $4500, but he does it for a fraction of that price. If anyone wants some incredible custom furniture at an unbelievable price then feel free to send a picture or sketch for a quote.

Mabel rides the Potty Train

2009-01-04T22:43:00.002-07:00

Our little baby must realize that she is going to be a big sister at a very young age. She is growing up very quickly. Her first trick was that she walked at 7 months. And now will no longer soil her diaper, rather she cries until she is set on the 'Potty Train'.

What a Great Day

2008-11-11T17:12:00.008-07:00

An unforgettable day for both father and son. David and Gavyn went to the local hobby shop, purchased a rocket kit, assembled it, launched it so high they could no longer see it, then ran to retrieve it so they could do it again.

Mabel the Tornado

2008-10-27T19:02:00.003-06:00

Being able to walk at a relatively young age has allowed Mabel to constantly find trouble. She likes to mimic behavior that she considers 'big'. Within micro-seconds she can get herself into some difficult situations. Thus, today she hurt herself several times. First, she climbed up on the foot stool in the kitchen to copy her brother Gavyn who likes jumping off the top. She dove off on her head. Later, she found the surgical instrument that her dad had been working with all morning and had left under the couch. While it likely weighs as much as she does, she lifted it and tried to carry it like her father. Its weight made her fall, causing her to gouge herself in the forehead. Last, while playing with the family this evening in the backyard, she shuffled over to join the kids on the tramp but fell through the springs and into the pit, landing on her face.

UEA Spent at Local Hotel

2008-10-26T18:17:00.001-06:00

Autumn

2008-10-22T20:48:00.001-06:00

Tuesdays with Marion

2008-08-13T18:28:00.004-06:00

When Lisa is in town we find that we are more active. She keeps us actively engaged.

Ada's Eye

2008-08-11T18:30:00.004-06:00

Ada's congenitally malformed eye caused her to be predisposed to a detached retina. Unfortunately, it was detached for some time before we discovered the condition, thus the retina sustained significant, irreparable damage. The retina was too damaged to likely ever provide vision, however a retinal surgery was ultimately performed to try to keep the eye from dying. The eye is now filled with a semi-opaque silicone oil to hold the retina in place with the hope that it will re-attach. But the oil has a side effect in that it has caused the formation of a cataract. Further, the entry wound that was made to allow placement of the oil caused a complication in that a flap of skin folded in on itself and filled with serous fluid. This made a blister on the surface of the eye that was about the size of a cashew nut. She just had another surgery. This time to remove the blister and to adjust the muscles of the eye so that it will track with the seeing eye. The surgery went great!

Mabel Takes a Stand

2008-07-28T17:30:00.003-06:00

7 days ago she turned 7 months and can now stand for about 7 seconds at a time.

Family Vacation

2008-07-09T15:16:00.001-06:00

Mabel at 3 months

2008-04-13T21:29:00.002-06:00

Our sweet baby is already over 3 months old. She is so much fun, and she always has a smile. Her favorite activities include: taking a bath, getting her diaper changed, play time with her dad, and watching her siblings play with each other.

Home Teaching

2008-04-11T20:05:00.005-06:00

A Home Teaching lesson to remember. One of our home teachers is an outdoor lover, and has frequently talked about how to build a fire without matches. He thought it would be fun to show us how he does this, so he brought his equipment to our house one Sunday to demonstrate this for us. He said his fastest time is about 45 seconds. I guess he was a little rusty. We sat on the porch in the cold and watched while he tried to start a fire. I must say, I have rarely seen someone with so much determination. After an hour and 22 minutes he was successful. Notice the blood and sweat on the concrete.

The Meaning of Easter

2008-03-20T15:45:00.005-06:00

This morning we were discussing the meaning of Easter while we were eating breakfast. One of our daughters had asked, "Why an Easter Bunny?" I explained that bunnies are known for having many babies and having them often and so they symbolize new life. Chickens are always laying eggs and so they are a symbol of new life and thus chickens are also an Easter icon. I reminded the children that Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and that resurrection is new life. To verify that the message was clear I thought to employ the Socratic method and inquired, "Easter means new....._______?" Ada eager to show her understanding emphatically finished: "CLOTHES!"

Grasshopper in the Pool Locker Room

2008-03-12T20:59:00.005-06:00

On Saturday we went to the Lehi Legacy Center pool. It was recommended by Sarah Wiley. After swimming, I put Gavyn in the shower so that he would rinse and stay warm while I changed my clothes. His kung fu practice made me smile. I was able to capture some on video.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Thursdays with Gavyn

2008-03-06T15:56:00.004-07:00

I have been spending too many hours of my would-be-home-time doing business work. That combined with our family health issues has meant that I have left Gavyn a little too neglected. I decided to spend the day with him. We began by eating Cocoa Crispies while watching Transformers "Roboks in disguise" (I am told that 'in da-skies' means that they can fly). The eating took quite some time, one of us ended up drinking soggy cereal instead of eating it. It looked like a very rich bowl of chocolate milk.

We then changed out of our PJs to go to the elementary school to eat lunch with Emma-Ada. Gavyn and I shared a lunch, which consisted of a chicken fried steak, a roll, chocolate milk and broccoli. The broccoli is only served upon request. Like most of the other school children Gavyn had the chocolate milk and the roll (I am told that chocolate milk is only helfly for big boys). Like most of the garbage cans, I had the steak and broccoli. I didn't remember the lunch room being that loud.

Gavyn and I spent about 20 minutes on the playground with Ada. She is a little spider monkey performing her cherry drops, back flips, monkey bars, etc. Gavyn went down the slide several times (I am told that he only does the really cool tricks on warmer days).

When we got home, we transplanted a tree from the front yard to the backyard. We took turns digging, Gavyn with a spade and I with a shovel and pick. It seemed efficient for some dirt to be removed during my rest periods. While digging I commented that the tree would look really pretty in the backyard. I was then told that Gavyn and I don't like pretty things, just awesome things, like fighting and knives.

Once the tree was planted we rested with a 100 calories bag of Doritos. I was able to convince Gavyn that the cheese on the chips is helfly for daddies and big boys and so he gave me some. I was then told that Gavyn does like one pretty thing: girls. He will marry a pretty girl in the temple when he is a daddy. I suggested that he marry the pretty girl before he is a daddy. Something was lost in translation.

We gathered all of the 3+ years old tax documents and went out back to burn them. I was told that fire is awesome because it can make roasted sticks taste doughyicious and can make pyastic turn yiddoo. Gavyn roasted a stick to feed to SanchoPasta.

Emma-Ada will be home soon so we are back inside. We will make a couple of protein shakes, mine with water and whey, Gavyn's with milk, chocolate and non-dairy creamer. He makes his own.

If only every day could be like today!

Hawkes 25 Year Memorial Snow Temple

2008-03-06T12:24:00.006-07:00

To celebrate the 25th year since the Jim Hawkes family built a large snow fort in the front yard, we attempted to replicate the feat. We were able to stack 55 bricks that each weighed 50 pounds before calling it a day. We planned to return the next evening to finish the memorial; however, our neighbor boy spent an hour kicking it down before we knew our work was being vandalized. We may have to wait another 25 years before enough snow falls to try again.

Mabel's New Quilt

2008-02-13T08:13:00.007-07:00

Thank you Grandma Hawkes for this Beautiful quilt. We get compliments on it everywhere we go.

Happy Birthday Emma

2008-02-13T08:05:00.003-07:00

Emma turned 9 years old in January. She was pretty disappointed that she couldn't go anywhere, but was very happy that people visited her and called to wish her a happy day. She is a beautiful, talented young lady. She is especially talented musically. She plays the piano, guitar, and is teaching herself how to play the harmonica. Her teacher at school says she is a model student, and notices that Emma is kind to everyone. We are happy to have a such a sweet, nice, girl as part of our family. Happy Birthday!

A few Pictures

2008-01-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

Our Sweet Baby

Matching pajamas on Christmas Eve

Gavyn holding Hazel

Things have been pretty crazy around our house for the past few weeks, and I haven't really had a chance to sit down to the computer. I thought I would post some pictures from the past few weeks.

'Twas the day after Christmas

2007-12-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

Uncle Nate treated us to a day of cross-country skiing. In spite of his being overrun with other customers, he was extremely kind, gentle and attentive. We had a wonderful time and are anxious to go back and take advantage of his graciousness. Thank you Uncle Nate!

Labor and Delivery

2007-12-22T10:22:00.000-07:00

Mabel was born on the first day of winter in American Fork, UT. She is healthy and Melinda is doing very well.

Mabel Sees Visitors

2007-12-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Mabel's family is so excited to receive her and believe she is as cute as can be. She is alert and ready to meet family and friends.

Fun Family Home Evening

2007-12-10T20:23:00.000-07:00

We had such a fun time decorating ginger bread houses. I think the parents had almost as much fun as the kids.

Ada's Poster

2007-11-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

I just thought this was sweet. Ada made this little sign and countdown chain. She is having major eye surgery on Thursday (for her detached retina), and she has been quite nervous about it. We are also nervous, but we are so thankful that the problem was discovered and that there are procedures that can be done to fix the problem. Thursday will probably only be the first of several procedures.

7 Weeks to Go

2007-11-02T15:30:00.000-06:00

This is a picture of my big belly at 33 weeks. I have had a pretty good pregnancy thus far. I'm now getting into the big awkward stage and have all of the late pregnancy aches and pains that go along with it. I am excited about the arrival of our new little daughter, and I can't wait to see who she looks like and what her personality will be. I know she will be worth all of the hard work it is to have a baby. They are all worth it.

Jennifer's Visit

2007-11-01T11:49:00.000-06:00

We had so much fun with my sister Jennifer and her daughter Amelia last week. They were visiting from Las Vegas. We had fun shopping, visiting the park, at Thanksgiving Point, and celebrating Amelia's Birthday. Gavyn was in heaven with someone to play with all day. He gets so bored with just me every day.

Happy Halloween

2007-10-31T22:23:00.000-06:00

2007-10-23T11:52:00.000-06:00

UEA Weekend at Lake Powell

We had so much fun at Lake Powell. We went with our friends and neighbors the Fox family and the Newell family. We spent the major portion of each day on the Fox's boat and spent the evenings around the campfire cooking and eating delicious dutch oven food . We can't wait to go back!

Happy #3 Gavyn

2007-09-15T15:41:00.001-06:00

Gavyn got this for his birthday, only he is a little scared to ride it. He's tried it out in the driveway a few times, but he's terrified of going into the road even when I am with him. I guess that's good.

The kids playing on the swing set.

David trying out the new grill at Gavyn's Birthday barbeque.

Lately, Gavyn has been watching the Disney cartoon version of "The Three Musketeers." He thinks he is a musketeer. He runs around the house yelling. "Musketeers. All for one. All for one." This is him trying out the musketeer costume he got for his birthday.

Singing "Happy Birthday!"

Bryce Canyon

2007-09-06T15:12:00.000-06:00

My sister Jennifer did a great job organizing a fun weekend for our family in Bryce Canyon. We camped just outside of Bryce Canyon. We went on some beautiful hikes, were amazed by the scenic redrock of southern Utah, saw a lot of wildlife, and enjoyed the company of the Hadfields.

The Girls' Room

2007-09-06T15:03:00.000-06:00

Thank you to Katie for making Emma's and Ada's room so cute!

Raquetball

2007-09-05T16:31:00.001-06:00

There is nothing Gavyn enjoys more than spending quality time with his father.

Playing in the Mud

2007-09-05T15:24:00.001-06:00

Our ward young men and young women have an annual mud football game. David is a young men's leader, and the kids and I went to watch and take pictures. After the game was over David threw the kids in the mud. They thought it was so much fun.

Our motorcycle ride to Bloomington Lake

2007-08-21T15:12:00.000-06:00

Our family had a lot of fun in Idaho with the Tippets side of the family at the end of July. One of the things we did was ride our motorcycles to Bloomington Lake, a glacier lake, located about 20 miles north and west of Bear Lake. It was about a six mile ride. We had to hike the last quarter mile to get to the lake. While there the kids and David had fun swinging on the rope swing and playing in the water. I had fun taking pictures.

Our Family

2007-08-17T12:22:00.001-06:00

A few pictures from our Florida trip

2007-08-17T10:07:00.000-06:00

We stayed at Old Oak Ranch near Myakka State Park. It was named after this 400 year old oak tree.

This cow (Holly) thinks she is a dog. She loves attention from people.

Emma and the Flounder she caught.

A baby alligator caught in the pond behind the house.

June in Florida

2007-08-16T23:03:00.002-06:00

We had the opportunity to spend the month of June in Florida where we had so much fun. We never had a dull moment. We kept busy hunting and rididng 4-wheelers on Dr. Sweeney's ranch, playing at the beach, eating at new restaurants, and exploring the surrounding areas.

2007-08-16T23:03:00.001-06:00

2007-08-16T22:02:00.000-06:00

2007-07-01T18:29:00.000-06:00

Emma and Ada on Emma's 8th Birthday

First Post

2007-07-01T18:26:00.000-06:00

We are jumping in with both feet to the blog world. Watch out for exciting tales and fascinating photos!